Worst Things To Say To Someone With Anxiety
                     Worst Things To Say To 
Someone With Anxiety
Those around someone who is anxious may find it just as challenging as the individual experiencing 
the anxiety themselves. It is possible to say anything that unintentionally exacerbates anxiety. 
Worst Things To Say To Someone With Anxiety Even when our intentions are good. What follows 
is a list of fifteen things you should never say to someone who is anxious, along with alternatives.
How to Communicate Effectively with Anxious People
Voice Inflection Is Critical
You risk coming across as angry even if you refrain from using some of the following expressions: 
Another way to express your annoyance is through your body language.
One of the hallmarks of anxiety is a heightened awareness of nonverbal clues. In order to have 
a meaningful talk about anxiety, you must be in a state of genuine serenity and connection.
How can we discuss anxiety without using derogatory expressions?
A person's anxiety may already be difficult, and certain expressions might make it worse. Here are 
five common expressions people use to minimize their anxieties:
1. Simply relax.
You cannot tell someone to relax. This statement makes it seem that the anxious individual 
controls their condition, which is an oversimplification. This could cause the person suffering from 
anxiety to feel misunderstood because their mood is complicated and unpredictable.
Instead of saying, "Just relax," try, "I'm here for you." I prefer this expression because it allows 
you to demonstrate your empathy and comprehension without diminishing their emotions. It 
realizes how worried they are and tries to reassure them.
2. Cool off.
Has anyone tried this successfully? No. Asserting that someone's fear is unfounded by telling 
them to relax is disrespectful. Since it's not as easy as turning a switch to calm, they may 
become more frustrated.
To put it simply, they would calm down if given the chance. Instead of saying "Calm down," try 
saying "Take your time." I prefer this expression because they are able to process their feelings 
at their own speed and have their experience validated by using this statement.
3. There is no need for concern.
People would quit fretting if they could. This statement downplays the significance of the 
person's worries and emotions, which can amplify their anxiety. It is OK to provide targeted 
comfort if someone confides in you about a particular worry.
So, let's say someone expresses concern about being underdressed for an upcoming function. If 
you think their clothing is appropriate, you can reassure them. Worst Things To Say To Someone 
With Anxiety An example of a precise statement that works best is, "I believe your ensemble will 
work wonderfully."
4. All of it is in your mind.
Assuming that anxiety is entirely subjective downplays the significance of the emotional and bodily 
manifestations of the disorder. Their experience is rendered meaningless. Instead of saying, "It's all 
in your head," explain that anxiety is difficult.
I prefer this expression because: This statement validates their feelings of anxiousness and 
demonstrates understanding, which helps them feel less alone.
5. You're reacting too strongly.
This statement is demeaning and unconvincing. The individual may experience heightened anxiety 
as a result of the perception that their worries are unfounded or exaggerated.
Additionally, it demonstrates that you lack empathy for their hardship. Worst 
Things To Say To Someone With Anxiety To avoid the phrase "you're overreacting," try saying 
something like, "It's okay to feel this way.
6. It's not very important.
This statement minimizes the gravity of the individual's concern, which can lead them to question 
the validity of their sensations or believe they are exaggerating.
"I know this matters to you" or "I admire your dedication to this" are better alternatives than "It's 
not a big deal." I prefer this expression because it demonstrates empathy and respect for their 
feelings, as well as showing that you care about their priorities.
7. You're overly perceptive.
By making such a claim, you are essentially saying that the person's sentiments don't matter or 
are overblown. Say something like, "Your feelings make sense," rather than, "You're being too 
sensitive."
I prefer this expression because, by acknowledging and accepting their feelings, you show that 
you value and comprehend their point of view and situation.
8. Relax, everything will work out.
Despite its best intentions, this sentence may wind up making their worries seem insignificant. It 
asserts that the individual's concerns are baseless. Rather than "It'll be fine, don't worry," say 
something like "We'll work through this together.
" To top it all off, provide a targeted word of comfort. "Our friends care about you and will not 
think less of you because the dish you're bringing didn't turn out like you'd hoped.
Alternatively, "You're an incredible worker, and you've put your all into this project." I prefer this 
expression because, by expressing mutual aid and cooperation, these expressions foster 
camaraderie and comprehension.
Honoring personal space and independence in relation to anxiety?
9. You should let me handle it.
For the sake of the person's mental health, this statement has the potential to damage a person's 
sense of independence and self-confidence.
Sending the message that you don't trust them to handle the situation exacerbates their anxieties. 
Instead of saying, "Let me handle it," consider asking, "How can I best support you right now?
I prefer this expression because, instead of forcing a solution on them, this inquiry shows respect 
for their autonomy by allowing them to choose how they want to receive help.
10. Which is best for you, I know.
It can be domineering and condescending to assume you know best for someone who suffers from 
anxiety. It doesn't consider their autonomy in making mental health decisions.
Rather than saying, "I know what's best for you," try saying, "You know yourself best." I prefer this 
expression because this declaration acknowledges their self-awareness and gives them the power 
to make choices that benefit their health.
If I ask, will you please not give me advice on my anxiety?
If only there was an easy way to alleviate someone else's pain, that would be fantastic. It may 
appear useful to leap immediately to solutions, but that's not always the case. Let me illustrate this 
with a few examples:
12. Have you attempted meditation or yoga?
Unless specifically requested, offering suggestions for relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation could give the impression that you 
don't care about how severe their anxiety is or that you haven't tried anything to help. It also implies that there is a single solution for 
anxiety.
Actually, there is a lot of nuance and individuality in what people find effective. Instead of asking, "Have you tried yoga or 
meditation?" I would ask, "Is there anything that helps you when you're feeling anxious?" I favor this approach as it allows 
individuals to guide the conversation by responding to this inquiry about their coping strategies.
13. You must become more resilient.
This statement is both detrimental and useless. Contrary to popular belief, it suggests that the individual is not making sufficient 
efforts to overcome their worry. Instead of saying, "You need to toughen up," you could say, "I admire your strength in facing anxiety.
"I can see how hard you're working to combat your anxiety" is an alternative. Worst Things To Say To Someone With Anxiety The 
advantages of these expressions are: They have an optimistic outlook because they recognize their strength and resolve.
When broaching the topic of anxiety, consider the time of day.
14. Can we discuss this later
This statement may make them feel like you're avoiding or dismissing their emotions, even though postponing 
conversations is sometimes appropriate. When someone asks, "Can we talk about this later?"
You should instead respond, "This conversation is important to me, but I'm not able to give it my full attention 
right now." Do you think there's a better time?
Then, when no one asks you to, follow up. Worst Things To Say To Someone With Anxiety The benefits: This 
approach acknowledges that you need a more convenient time to talk about things without ignoring their 
concerns.